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School City of Whiting board sets free PreK/kindergarten for 2026–27, approves work‑based bus internship and several purchases
Summary
The board authorized a paid work‑based learning bus internship, approved routine contracts and purchases (vehicle, supplies, facility repairs) and announced free PreK/kindergarten for the 2026–27 school year; the board also noted high early‑college interest with 65 applicants.
The School City of Whiting Board of Education approved a series of routine contracts, purchases and a new student work‑based learning program at its March meeting, and administrators announced that PreK and full‑day kindergarten will be offered free beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
Administrators said registration for PreK and kindergarten roundup will be held April 2 and May 15 at the YMCA, and emphasized the district is working with community partners to provide before‑ and after‑school care. The district also reported strong interest in an early‑college pathway: officials said 65 students applied for the program out of about 81 eighth‑graders; accepted students will receive letters over spring break and a signing day is scheduled April 29 at 5:30 p.m.
The board approved a proposal to create a work‑based learning bus internship that places high‑school students on elementary buses as paid bus monitors. "What you guys just approved was a plan, uh, for some of our students who are in the early childhood education program…so during an operations meeting a couple months ago our transportation director voiced a need that there are not subs for bus monitoring when they call off," a district speaker explained; staff said the students will be compensated and the model will be expanded into other career pathways such as maintenance and operations.
In financial business, the treasurer said February balances were within normal ranges; the transcript lists a district fund total of about $11.77 million but formatting was unclear. The board approved a package of claims and donations, including a $100 donation to athletics and a donation of books to the middle‑high school library.
Votes at a glance (recorded in meeting minutes): - Performance Chemical Supply quote for $26,940.44 — motion/second recorded; outcome: approved. - Contract for Elizabeth Aguilera (speech evaluations, Dec. 1, 2025–Nov. 30, 2026) — motion by Patty, second by Chris; outcome: approved. - Truck and plow purchase from Garber Chevrolet for $60,107.28 — motion by Tom, second by Patty; outcome: approved. - Work‑based learning bus internship program — motion/second recorded; outcome: approved. - Softball field lights (Midwest Electric) $6,135 — motion/second recorded; outcome: approved. - Study by Nihart $7,500 — motion/second recorded; outcome: approved. - Door replacement and wind‑spring estimates for athletic facilities — motion/second recorded; outcome: approved. - Permission for Tetrate Tech (on behalf of US EPA) to use the auditorium for a public meeting on March 26, 2026 — motion/second recorded; outcome: approved.
Board discussion emphasized student learning opportunities and practical benefits of the internship program; staff noted the district will pursue available state reimbursement for paid work‑based learning experiences. The meeting closed after routine public‑comment opportunities and a motion to adjourn.
